today the united states is engaging with an involving iraq. the country is now emerging from over 50 years of isolation, fragmentation and more. a strong relation with the democratically elected government. this relation is codified in the u.s. framework agreement which lays out a shared vision and a concrete common roadmap for bilateral class economics, justice, diplomacy, education. through this agreement we support and assist iraqis build a united democratic countries that can play a constructive role in the region. of course challenges abound is not easy. sectarian frictions remain strong and often threatened to derail negotiated accords. it unsettles iraq's oil exports and the council of representatives is through provincial elections scheduled for early 2013. tensions with turkey, conflict within syria and iraq's relationship with iran off the anxiety and complicate our relationships with iraq. nevertheless, developments i have seen in iraq give a reason for optimism. they have all confessions and ethnicities are remain to solving differ